COMPOSTING OF ORGANIC WASTE WITH BASALT TUFF AS A UNIQUE INNOVATION IN UKRAINE

Modern technologies for processing the organic fraction of solid municipal waste are considered, including aerobic composting in windrows and closed reactors, as well as anaerobic processing with biogas production.Particular attention is paid to the analysis of technological solutions applicable in Ukrainian conditions, taking into account seasonal fluctuations in the composition and volume of waste, the level of infrastructure development and economic constraints.The possibilities of improving the efficiency of organic waste management in cities through the use of basalt flour during composting are investigated.The international experience of enhanced rock weathering technology and research results demonstrating the positive impact of minerals on the biodegradation of organic matter, the stabilisation of nutrients and the improvement of the physical and chemical properties of compost have been analysed.Particular attention is paid to technological models of organic waste processing used in EU countries, as well as the possibilities of their adaptation in Ukrainian communities.The central element of the study is an innovative composting technology with the addition of basalt tuff, proposed by the Ukrainian start-up Geodar®.It is emphasised that basalt flour, which contains more than 40 mineral elements, acts as a natural soil conditioner and can accelerate the decomposition of organic matter, enrich compost with nutrients and bind atmospheric CO₂ through the effect of enhanced weathering.It has been shown that the use of GEODAR basalt flour is a Ukrainian analogue of high-quality rock dust and can be an effective component of composting.Its use 12(20) 2025 899 promotes the activation of microbiota, accelerates the maturation of compost, reduces nutrient losses and promotes carbon fixation in the soil.It has been concluded that composting with the addition of basalt flour is a promising innovative direction for Ukraine, which complies with the principles of the circular economy and can become the basis for the formation of local environmentallyoriented solutions in territorial communities.